My mum has just been diagnosed with mixed dementia (vascular/Alzheimers). Up until now she has been great in every way except her short term memory in gone. Her diet is really good, exercises, loves to buy clothes and always puts makeup and does her hair. Never taken medication.
Just this last few days shes been taking simvastatin for cholestrol and Donepezil for Alzheimers. Yesterday she confused; but this morning she was hallucinating and mixed up to hell. (I eork in a pharmacy and brought a uti test home to trst for uti which was clear) she is well hydrated.
Im sure this episode was caused by either/both new meducations. Ive stopped her taking them.
Anyone got any insight??
I am not a huge fan of the present medications prescribed for Alzheimer's. This is based on the initial research tests. However, some people report that they've had good results on the medicines. It is always worth a try. My mother didn't stay on it long enough to say much about it.
Is your mother still on Aricept? How long has she been on it? Do you think its done any good?
I would ask her doctor what he/she thinks is the best thing to do. You may also want to take your mother to the doctor for a urine test. Sometimes the OTC test kits miss things. I used one of the Azo kits a few months ago and got a negative for UTI. But my mother insisted, so I took her to the doctor, where they did a test and found she had a slight UTI. It is amazing how a slight UTI can cause such problems in older people.
I was so reluctant for her to take any drugs but at the same time know that statins do keep many people wth vascular disease alive. I also didnt want her to miss any chance of clearer thought with Donepezil. But without doubt one if those (or combination) is the culprit.